RALEIGH, N.C. – Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, as part of an effort to address the nation's growing income gap, proposed a new tax policy yesterday that would increase taxes on the affluent while providing new tax breaks for those struggling to break into the middle class.

In a speech in Des Moines, Iowa, Edwards proposed tax increases on those earning capital gains, those earning more than $200,000 per year and hedge fund investors. He also called for putting new limits on executive pensions and an end to some tax breaks for multinational corporations.

At the same time, Edwards called for new tax breaks for low-wage earners, new efforts to help people build savings accounts, and new assistance to help subsidize child care.

Edwards said he was making the proposals because income inequality in the United States is the greatest it has been since 1928. He said the top 300,000 taxpayers now make more than the bottom 150 million Americans.

MCT News Service

Bush chides Congress
over spending bills

PHILADELPHIA – President Bush stepped up his criticism of the Democratic-controlled Congress yesterday, accusing members of being fiscally irresponsible and “dragging their feet” on spending bills needed to keep the government running beyond Sept. 30.

Speaking before conservative state legislators meeting at a convention here, Bush called on Congress to approve a Pentagon spending bill before its August recess and to pass the 11 other appropriations bills in short order.

The Washington Post

Senate backs added
border security funds

WASHINGTON – The Senate approved an additional $3 billion yesterday to beef-up security on the U.S.-Mexico border with more agents, fencing, radars and cameras.

The money, however, is part of an amendment to a large spending bill that faces a possible veto by President Bush.

The White House says the underlying $38 billion measure to pay for homeland security exceeds the president's proposed budget.